Christmas!

What better time than Christmas for the 100th post on this blog. For those of you who are only interested in the pictures, go ahead and scroll down.

We had a great Christmas, definitely in the top 3 Christmases ever (mostly because of Alexander). We started with a web camera meeting with my family on the morning of Christmas Eve. It was a lot of fun, even though Xander didn’t really cooperate. But he did open a few of his presents and loves ripping the paper off. While he took his first nap, Colin and I enjoyed some risgrynsgröt while watching Astrid Lindgren’s Jul on the computer.

When Xander woke up from his nap, we headed down to Colin’s moms house and Xander got to play with his cousin Bailey. We took Trevor along to the Spencer Christmas party. There, we ate some very delicious food, enjoyed good company and then the highlight, the 2008 Spencer family movie. One of Colin’s aunts and uncles puts it together every year with pictures from everyone (Colin’s mom has 8 brothers and sisters) and then puts it to some good music. We also got the good news that they are ‘expecting’ another baby (they get to adopt a baby boy at the end of January). Xander fell asleep during the movie and then slept for quite a while on my shoulder, which was really nice.

We ended Christmas Eve at Julie/Grandma’s house with lots of presents. Alexander got a Winnie the Pooh walker from his grandma, and even though he can’t reach the floor, he still loves it. We didn’t leave until close to eleven, but Xander fell asleep in the car with his pajamas on and went right back to sleep once I put him down in his crib. What made this day great was my wonderful son, he was so good the whole time and I got to enjoy everything without worrying about a screaming baby.

Then came Christmas Day. Alexander woke me up right after eight and once I got him fed and dressed, we both woke up daddy. Our stockings were full of yummies and there were plenty of presents under the tree, most of them for Xander of course. We opened our presents and then my husband cooked a very tasty breakfast. Later that day, Colin’s family came over for a spur of the moment dinner and I cooked a ham for the first time. It turned out really good. We played some board games and Xander got to eat some sweet potatoes, which he loved. I couldn’t get Xander to fall asleep that night, but when he was finally down, Colin and I watched Smallville and ate some popcorn. It was the perfect end of a perfect Christmas.

Darrin and Felice

Trevor

Kari with her favorite nephew

Jen and Jason

What a cute couple =)

Xander opening his big present

Can I help you daddy?

Yep, that's a pink Victoria's Secret box, for my husband. It contained the seventh season of Smallville.

Grandma Julie opening a big present from Trevor

What's in my stocking?

Mmmm, tasty books

This present was from Xander to daddy, he wrote on the tag and picked out the bows

And it was a tie!

My present from daddy and son (it was Mamma Mia, the movie and soundtrack)

Yeah for baby's first Christmas. He got these cute pajamas from Grandad in Colorado, but the hat was way to small.

Everyone after dinner. Nice table, huh?

Look at Xander using a spoon. Those sweet potatoes were pretty yummy.

Xander in his new walker.

Christmas Miracles

So Christmas is almost here and we have already had a few small Christmas miracles in our family. First, Colin's got Christmas Eve and Christmas Day completely off (that never happens). Second, I'd been out running a few errands yesterday and had to drive home in a snowstorm. Well, I'd left the keys in the front door, all night, and the car and keys were still there the next morning. Miracles aren't always big, and these have truly been a blessing to us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa Clause

I've been wanting to take Xander to see Santa at the mall, but Colin was not quite as excited as me about that. Well, we ended up going to the mall for some last minute Christmas shopping, and I noticed that the line to see Santa was really short, so me and Xander went in with daddy waiting by the stroller. Xander loved to sit in Santa's lap, he didn't cry at all and gave me some big smiles. I took a few pictures and then we left. Later, while eating lunch at the food court, I looked through the pictures I had taken, and they were really bad. That's when I decided that we should go and see Santa at the other mall, until Uncle Trevor told us you have to pay to see him there. "Unfortunately" we had to pass Santa on our way to the car, and went back to see him again, this time with daddy as the photographer, and here are the results.

When it was time to leave, Xander reached out his arms towards Santa, he wanted to stay. So it was all worth it, and Xander didn't cry at all (which is surprising because he's got "stranger danger" right now.

Playing in the Snow

It finally snowed this week, and I was so excited to take Alexander out to play in it. Luckily for him, his mormor had sent him a nice snowsuit that fit him just right and kept him nice and warm.

First steps in the snow

Tiny footprints

Kitchen Table

We got a new kitchen table for Christmas from my parents and grandparents in Sweden. No more card tables and folding chairs. Tack!

Lucia!

It's nice to have some Swedish family here, especially being able to share some traditions with Colin and Alexander. So here's our Lucia celebration, lots of kids and lots of tasty food.

Aaron - The Happy Gingerbread Man

Tim and Misty's kids

Pretty Lucias

Danielle may be a future photographer, she took this picture of Shelby

My two handsome boys

Mmmm, lussekatter

Our little family

Which Toy?

Xander couldn't decide which toy to put in his mouth, so he tried all three of them.

Bailey's First Birthday

Bailey Brie just turned one. Here's the birthday girl right before the presents and cake.

Not quite sure what to do with the cake

She figured the cake out: the after picture

Xander entertained the guests by rolling over and talking to anyone who was willing to listen.

Signs of a Tooth

1. Tongue turns blue

2. Big smiles for a tired mommy

3. Look cute in mommy's and daddy's big bed, maybe they'll let you sleep there after a long, sleepless night.

His first tooth finally poked through last Saturday, and the second one is on its way.

The High Chair

Last year around Christmas time, Colin bought a beautiful high chair on clearance. We knew we were having a baby and Alexander actually received two present when he was only - 6 months (I was 3 months pregnant at that time). One year later it was finally time to put the chair together, and multiple pieces were missing. I ended up calling and two weeks later those pieces finally came and here's the final product.

5 Months

Here's my not so little 5 month old

Thanksgiving

Colin had to work during his family's thanksgiving dinner this year, and left-overs just aren't the same. So last Sunday I decided to cook him our very own thanksgiving dinner, with homemade rolls and everything. We had ham instead of turkey, Colin's request.

Don't look at the placemat, it doesn't match the tablecloth...